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roo-ster t1_j6monx7 wrote

Better solution: Don’t make plastic clothing fibers.

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Dominoscraft t1_j6mrty1 wrote

This ^^ let’s go back to 100% Cotten and our clothes will last longer. In the past ~15 years in U.K. any decent clothing company was bought and the company moth balled to cut out competition. Now it’s just flimsy clothing that stars to get holes in after 20 washes

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StormlitRadiance t1_j6nd1ue wrote

A cultural shift is required. People don't *want* their clothes to last a long time. Various marketing efforts over the past hundred years have convinced us to care about fast fashion.

There was a time when "fashion" was just for fops and dandies. In order for sustainable clothing to be a thing, we need to return to that attitude.

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sock-opera t1_j6oil3s wrote

I don’t think it’s that simple because the alternatives have environmental issues as well. For example, cotton is very carbon and water intensive (organic even more so) for the amount of times you can use it before it breaks down (see: cotton vs plastic shopping bags). Presumably recycled plastic clothing is less carbon intensive than cotton.

Textile production accounts for about 10% of carbon emissions. I’m not sure we currently have a good way to compare the negative externalities of additional carbon footprint and micro plastic pollution.

I think the ideal solution likely involves consumers keeping their clothing for longer, purchasing more durable clothing and not participating in “fast fashion”.

Don’t get me wrong, I prefer cotton and wool. Synthetics also have their place in many speciality and sporting applications. I believe main issue is the sheer scale of consumption and waste that we encourage in a consumer economy.

If anyone knows about the carbon footprint of wool, hemp or alternative textiles I would be curious to hear.

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Hefty_Tendy t1_j6p1nnt wrote

Fast fashion is probably not going anywhere any time soon. Between carbon emissions and microplastics, we at least have a solution for the former. If we can continue transitioning to renewable energy, it won’t matter how much energy textile production uses. But plastic will still be taking up space in our landfills and water.

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FreeQ t1_j6nevbx wrote

Or don’t buy them

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roo-ster t1_j6nhozv wrote

People who don’t buy them still get micro plastics in their food and water.

Ban them.

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